My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

arrived within minutes and took a seat at

told everyone about my ‘dream’ and received many gasps and low

looks the whole time I was talking, making me feel

is it?" I finally asked, looking back and forth between the

things that just haven’t

squeezed my hand

raised my eyebrows as I stared at him, "Like

maybe a little too friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy,

to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not

thoughts, "Apollo has never been one to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone can even bring

hurt him," I repeated

"I wish that I could believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin, just as it didn’t seem to affect

of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane

Apollo is a part

at Zayd this time who had been

of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but we don’t think he can

Zayd told me gently.

thought of being betrayed by my father, the

think you could get

as much as you can about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back up and regular sweeps up to two miles outside the border done at least

a bow of heads, a resounding, "Yes

"When your dad calls,

me as he sat down next to me.I was

I replied, not really in

going to the packhouse soon.I have some phone calls to make.Do you want to stay home today, or do you

packhouse." I smiled

together.I don’t want you out walking around by yourself,

at him in

when their next move would be? We walked together to the packhouse, stopping a few times

led me to the office next door to

both had large books in front of them that looked

"Any luck?"

sure Kyra

looked at me shaking their heads,

Adria replied.

through the pages as I scanned for anything about the Moon

in dreams before.But it doesn’t really go into

as she rose

go get Blaze and I will be back

as Dane walked through the door, "Any luck?"

was currently reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not

he said he would meet us downstairs for lunch," Dane

at the clock hanging on the wall above the door, surprised to see it was already time for

would explain

to miss a meal, I thought to

with everyone as

in her highchair between

back on everything that has happened and is still happening, I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since meeting him, I don’t really know

are focused mainly on Kyra

it was odd until

time I would ask about Devin, the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back to Kyra or give me very vague answers in

I murmured lost in

should

one of worry, but

paranoid, letting everyone else's distrust get to my head, but I couldn't help but wonder if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin well enough

didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he

we finished eating lunch, Genesis and Adria took the kids to her house so they

behind all of this," I stated

in surprise at

friendly when he was here.He hasn’t been able to come back to visit in person since, but I have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any sense now to be able to do this on his own, but Apollo is.What if Devin

silence once I finished

the office to gauge

you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I

head as I thought about

did the phone

I looked at Zayd.

on the phone before lunch, and I am assuming or hoping,

but he did say he was planning to come and speak with us.He wouldn’t

scrunched my face a little, "Why not talk on

all smiled at me, "Vampires are

sit down, "And your pacing

with a sigh, wishing none

at Zayd, "I spoke with Uncle

explained everything that was going on.He’s one of the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He asked about the bordering land.He wants to move his pack

a whole pack, but then again, there aren't too many things

he felt he needed to move his

to do that?" I

it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with you.He’s never

was shocked to hear his loyalty wasn’t with Apollo, but

even knows me, but he has been willing to stand beside us without

have Adria call

and Colby that Dominick will be coming sometime.We

us alone in the office, the silence once again filling the